The Hatch Act

The Hatch Act restricts political activity of federal, state, and local government employees. The Act also restricts the political activity of employees whose employment is financed in whole or in part by a grant award. Grantees and delegates should be mindful of this policy and avoid any violations of the law with regard to their staff members’ political activities.

The following is an excerpt from the HHS Grants Policy Statement.

The Hatch Act restricts political activity of executive branch employees of the federal government and District of Columbia government employees (5 U.S.C. 7321–7328) and State or local officers or employees (5 U.S.C. 1501–1528). “State or local officer or employee” means an individual employed by a State or local agency whose principal employment is in connection with an activity that is financed in whole or in part by loans or grants made by the United States or a Federal agency. (Certain State educational or research institutions are excluded from this definition.)